Changes to the EI Sickness Benefit - Effective December 18th, 2022

In the 2022 budget, the federal government announced it will extend paid EI sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks. The government has confirmed that December 18th, 2022 is the effective date of this change.

The EI sickness extension does not obligate plan sponsors to amend their STD and LTD plans to align with the new 26-week EI period.

For those who participate, it is expected to be a good amount of time for employers to ensure they remain compliant with the EI Premium Reduction Plan. We will share details as they become available.

With the increased coverage available for employees, it’s essential to evaluate your disability plans and ensure they get the support they need to both fully recover and return to work. Send us a simple hello to discuss your plan design.

For more information, see here.